Sheikhpura, Jamui, Deoghar included in tomorrow’s city gas bidding

GAIL India, the country’s largest pipeline operator, said the government has decided to include two additional districts of Bihar — Sheikhpura and Jamui — and one more district in Jharkhand — Deoghar — in the 10th round of bidding for setting up of city gas distribution networks.

The ninth round of bidding, for 86 ‘geographical areas’, was completed in September. Among the winners were Adani Gas and Bharat Gas Resources. Two regions out of the 86 found no takers.

The tenth round of bidding, due for tomorrow, will cover a total of 50 regions, GAIL said. A region can include more than one city or town.

The 50 regions are expected to lie in 125 districts in 14 states. The industry was expecting 30-40 regions.

GAIL said its Jagadishpur — Haldia — Bokaro — Dhamra pipeline — whose first phase will be complete next month — will be the feeder source for natural gas supply to the proposed city gas project at Deoghar, Sheikhpura and Jamui districts, GAIL said.

The winners can supply natural gas to households, commercial establishments and vehicles.

Baidyanath Dham, located in the prominent coal belt district of Deoghar, would be part of the natural gas map of India, GAIL said.

At present, most of the city gas distribution networks are located in Western India, in areas like Mumbai and Gujarat, due to the proximity of the region to natural gas fields.